Autonomous Sensor Nodes for Aircraft Structural Health Monitoring

Abstract

The current trend towards the use of novel materials and design concepts for aircraft structures may demand structural health monitoring (SHM) systems in the future. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) could fulfill the required monitoring tasks concerning fatigue, damage or stress of structural parts. Autonomous sensor nodes (ASNs) are key elements for a WSN in order to allow a self-sufficient and maintenance free operation, without any complex wiring for power supply or communication purposes.